[Albion] Dunk and Connolly article in The Athletic today

[El Presidente]

Appreciate it is behind a paywall, but there's a long and well thought out assessment of how Potter has turned Dunk & Connolly into international class players, and Lewis's stats this season are superb, easily better than other English centre halves, and as for Connolly



https://theathletic.co.uk/1271273/2019/10/07/connolly-and-dunk-justify-potter-philosophy-as-brighton-blow-spurs-away/

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Appreciate it is behind a paywall, but there's a long and well thought out assessment of how Potter has turned Dunk & Connolly into international class players, and Lewis's stats this season are superb, easily better than other English centre halves, and as for Connolly

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https://theathletic.co.uk/1271273/2019/10/07/connolly-and-dunk-justify-potter-philosophy-as-brighton-blow-spurs-away/

Graham Potter didn't turn Lewis Dunk into anything. Dunk has been 'International class' (if that is what Keane, Tarkowski, Tomoro or Mings can claim to be) for about three years.

He owes some debt to each of the Albion's previous four managers. In fact, despite the general shitness of every single other thing he did at the club, Sami H's reign saw Dunk make his greatest progress of all.

 

[Bakero]

Graham Potter didn't turn Lewis Dunk into anything. Dunk has been 'International class' (if that is what Keane, Tarkowski, Tomoro or Mings can claim to be) for about three years.

He owes some debt to each of the Albion's previous four managers. In fact, despite the general shitness of every single other thing he did at the club, Sami H's reign saw Dunk make his greatest progress of all.

Perhaps Potter has given him the platform to showcase his skills though. A lot of non-Brighton fans view Dunk as a decent last ditch tackle defender. This season those opinions may change as they get more of a chance to see his ability to bring the ball out of defence and make key passes. 2 assists already this year.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Sami H's reign saw Dunk make his greatest progress of all.

Interesting observation, with a lot of merit.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Graham Potter didn't turn Lewis Dunk into anything. Dunk has been 'International class' (if that is what Keane, Tarkowski, Tomoro or Mings can claim to be) for about three years.

He owes some debt to each of the Albion's previous four managers. In fact, despite the general shitness of every single other thing he did at the club, Sami H's reign saw Dunk make his greatest progress of all.

Yes, Dunk is and has been international class for some time, but I understand what they're trying to say. Up til now Dunk has been lauded for his blocks and power the air, and (unfairly) less so for this passing or ball retention. I can see in the short time Potter's been here that Lewis now has ample scope to show off his runs and excellent passing ability. So, Potter has made Dunk into a more 'International Friendly' player, as we play a less frantic style, esp as the back.

 

[Greavsey]

Yes, Dunk is and has been international class for some time, but I understand what they're trying to say. Up til now Dunk has been lauded for his blocks and power the air, and (unfairly) less so for this passing or ball retention. I can see in the short time Potter's been here that Lewis now has ample scope to show off his runs and excellent passing ability. So, Potter has made Dunk into a more 'International Friendly' player, as we play a less frantic style, esp as the back.

He was absolutely sublime on Saturday. But unfortunately, I think they've taken a look at him and decided he is not quick enough... that's never going to change regardless of the manager!

 

[GT49er]

Perhaps Potter has given him the platform to showcase his skills though. A lot of non-Brighton fans view Dunk as a decent last ditch tackle defender. This season those opinions may change as they get more of a chance to see his ability to bring the ball out of defence and make key passes. 2 assists already this year.

I wouldn't mind betting 10p (or maybe even more!) on that being the way Southgate views him!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Perhaps Potter has given him the platform to showcase his skills though. A lot of non-Brighton fans view Dunk as a decent last ditch tackle defender. This season those opinions may change as they get more of a chance to see his ability to bring the ball out of defence and make key passes. 2 assists already this year.

Yes, Dunk is and has been international class for some time, but I understand what they're trying to say. Up til now Dunk has been lauded for his blocks and power the air, and (unfairly) less so for this passing or ball retention. I can see in the short time Potter's been here that Lewis now has ample scope to show off his runs and excellent passing ability. So, Potter has made Dunk into a more 'International Friendly' player, as we play a less frantic style, esp as the back.

Yes - entirely fair observation.

It is indeed fair to say that Potter's playing style will do wonders for how Dunk's game is PERCEIVED by others, as it will give him better reign to roll out the classy side of his game.

Potter hasn't taught him any of that though - just offered him better scope to showcase it.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Yes - entirely fair observation.

It is indeed fair to say that Potter's playing style will do wonders for how Dunk's game is PERCEIVED by others, as it will give him better reign to roll out the classy side of his game.

Potter hasn't taught him any of that though - just offered him better scope to showcase it.

Yes.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

He was absolutely sublime on Saturday. But unfortunately, I think they've taken a look at him and decided he is not quick enough... that's never going to change regardless of the manager!

I don't think that can be the issue. He's not slow - comfortable as quick as any of Maguire, Keane or Tarkowski.

Only Mings and Tomori are notably fast.

 

[blue-shifted]

The way I see it with Dunky this year, is that midfields have generally become less congested spaces. Mostly due to the goal kick rule change but also the way Potter has us set up. This has given Burn and Webster space to move into, , but crucially it's give Lewis the chance to get his head up a bit more knowing there will likely be a pass into midfield.

He also knows that we're playing pacey strikers who will run in behind any defence playing a high line. So last year when he looked up, his best bet was to stick one up for Muzza to compete in the air against a centre half. This year his two assists have come in matches where we had Maupay and Andone, against Watford and Maupay and Connolly against Spurs.

Faith that he'll have a genuinely attacking outball is encouraging him to get his head up and show his range of passing. Just imagine if he were playing for England and could aim those at Sancho, Rashford and Sterling. Southgate is a fool.

 

[blue-shifted]

The other thing Dunky is doing which I love, is knowing when to forget about playing people onside and get back on the line to make a last ditch clearance. He did this against (maybe) Lamela on Saturday and that's a couple of times I've seen it from him this season. Intelligent defending

 

[portslade seagull]

M.City need a defender who can play out from the back. Dunky stop doing it !!!

 

[Stat Brother]

Dunk's no Harry Maguire:-

[tweet]1180880458676080641[/tweet]



luckily.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

M.City need a defender who can play out from the back. Dunky stop doing it !!!

Yes, and No. Yes, we want Dunky playing for us, but if the likes of Man City came in with an eye watering offer, we'd certainly need to consider it. The queue of quality, ball playing centre halves we have only 'works' if vacancies occur at the top. We can't expect Ben White / Matt Clarke to accept loans / bench forever.

So, if Man City offered £50m? for Dunk in January and we could recall Ben White from Leeds, it would be tempting.

 

[Stat Brother]

Yes, and No. Yes, we want Dunky playing for us, but if the likes of Man City came in with an eye watering offer, we'd certainly need to consider it. The queue of quality, ball playing centre halves we have only 'works' if vacancies occur at the top. We can't expect Ben White / Matt Clarke to accept loans / bench forever.

So, if Man City offered £50m? for Dunk in January and we could recall Ben White from Leeds, it would be tempting.

Been saying this for a while.

Dunk will be 28 soon, anyone offering him a contract will have to make it a massive one as it'll be the traditional last 'big one'.

The club need Dunk and Duffy gone soon, at the top of their valuations, just to move the process along.

 

[beorhthelm]

Perhaps Potter has given him the platform to showcase his skills though. A lot of non-Brighton fans view Dunk as a decent last ditch tackle defender. This season those opinions may change as they get more of a chance to see his ability to bring the ball out of defence and make key passes. 2 assists already this year.

sad if so, that others scoring goals is the only way to see the range and skills of a defender. we've seen the tackles, passes to midfield or deep pin-point passes for several seasons.

 

[BNthree]

Yes - entirely fair observation.

It is indeed fair to say that Potter's playing style will do wonders for how Dunk's game is PERCEIVED by others, as it will give him better reign to roll out the classy side of his game.

Potter hasn't taught him any of that though - just offered him better scope to showcase it.

That's basically the crux of the article!

 

[maltaseagull]

Yes - entirely fair observation.

It is indeed fair to say that Potter's playing style will do wonders for how Dunk's game is PERCEIVED by others, as it will give him better reign to roll out the classy side of his game.

Potter hasn't taught him any of that though - just offered him better scope to showcase it.

It is great to watch all our back 3 take the ball past the opposition and join the attacks.
(As long as they don't all go up together )

 

[Simster]

International week coming up.

Time to get #DunkForEngland trending on Twitter I think